What is Digg?211 Comments
- inactive, on 10/12/2007, -1/+24News flash: Steve Phillips has effectively resigned from PriceRitePhoto today, amid speculation of dishonest business practices. His successor will be Phillip Stevens.
- jmccorm, on 10/12/2007, -0/+8For those not reading between the lines, here's how it appears to go:
1. MANY items are listed as super-low price.
1a. Items are registered at price-shopper type search engines. So those looking for the low price will find them.
2. When you nibble on the hook (place an order), you are called back (one or many times) and badgered and pestered for extras. "I have to verify the check digits on your card." "I'm calling to verify your address." "Since you are here, won't you be needing the special memory card with that?"
3. If you don't give into extras, then there are fees (shipping insurance, for example). "Oh. This is the Asia model. Did you want a warranty with this?"
4. When you still don't give in, item is suddenly out of stock over the phone (Yet magically in stock on the website.) So you might say, "Okay, fine! Cancel my order." That, or other items, see the next step.
5. If you badger and complain, you'll eventually get your money back minus a 5%-15% fee for _______ (say, a credit card company handling fee or something). "Sorry, this is what the credit card company charges us."
6. If you complain loud and hard enough (go through BBB, post on a publicised blog) you get your money back. "We're so sorry sir. We don't know how it happened. Please except our apology. Here is your money."
Nothing changes. No policy or behavior is altered. Worst case? Shut that customer up by giving him his money back. But some customers leave nasty feedback on these price tracking sites.
7. Arrange for good feedback to negate the nasty feedback you start to accumulate. Make it look like just a few malcontents on the Internet, and the store really is awesome with a great price, ships fast!!!
Then, once you've burned through enough people and given yourself a nasty enough reputation, perhaps those deal sites start delisting you...
7. Change the name of the company. Something really good is some common combination of words that aren't easy to spot in a search engine. You become, say, Fine Electronics or Electronics Superstore. Register yourself with the deal sites under the new business.
Ask about the following fine companies... or company:
A. Heffco Technologies, Inc.
aka C&A Marketing
aka Dealz Net
aka Hype Audio
aka Ideal Audio/Video
aka Ideal Photo and Video
aka Let's Go Digital
aka LGD Superstore
aka Editors Choice
aka Price Rite Photo
aka Prices Rite Photo
aka Prices Rite
Nobody has put them out of business. Nobody. If you cause enough damage, this incarnation will go out of business and the next one will pop up. You will NOT get them to reform or go out of business without some massive intervention and cooperation from authorities. - 4answer2, on 10/12/2007, -0/+6Typical contrite spin from the owner though. I doubt they have "company board meetings", that sounds rather inflated. It sounds to me that, while it is probably good that he is buckling under the pressure of the common man, that he was aware of exactly what the business practices were and it won't be long until they are back in action with the same techniques for pressuring customers to purchase additional unwanted extras.
- iWorks, on 10/12/2007, -0/+5yeah! midgets rejoice!
- inactive, on 10/12/2007, -0/+5"Board meeting" my ass. Shady places like this are usually just a handfull of people with an outsourced call center. Mr. Lopez and Mr. Phillips are probably the same person.
- gnosis, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4Digg.com users,
We understand we have upset a lot of people on this and other sites due to the unfortunate handling of Mr. Hawks purchase from our employee Steve Philips. This is not acceptable behavior and not indicative of the way we do business. To ensure this will not happen in the future we are now offering an anti-abuse warranty for the rock bottom price of $299.99. Anyone purchasing this warranty are guaranteed to not be harassed, threatened or otherwise wrongly dealt with.
As you can see we have taken this incident very serious. We apologize to all digg.com users and hope you will be satisfied with our new policy.
Sincerely,
Ed Lopez, CEO - dsxmakina, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3Wow. So does this mark the era of the consumer? Can we actually get people like this to stop and think twice about screwing over the little guy?
But more importantly....who's next? Sony/BMG? The RIAA?....anyone have any ideas?...hehehheehehehe - PoolyMan, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3I agree with 4answer2. This looks like a case of "we promise we'll be nice from now on." Sure - I don't believe it for a second. While I don't think anyone should be pranking them, the word should still be spread that no one should do business with them.
- tibman, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3Let this mark a new era for the little guy.
- jackmaninov, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3In related news, PriceRitePhoto's website is down. Probably their host following through on their ToS violation notice (see Update 10 on Thomas Hawk's original post)
- evanfrey, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2And THAT is what "mob justice" gets. We, the people, in order to maintain a more perfect union, doing what we can to make sure that others don't get away with thier shady business practices
- jasongetsdown, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2I'm sure that, as he mentions, this treatment is not an acception. According to BBB.org priceritephoto has had 202 complaints in the last three years. Only 89 of these were in the last twelve months.
The complaints described closely match those we've heard from Mr. Hawk and others.
They've been at this game for a long time, which is possibly why they have so many aliases. I'm also suspicious of this talk about Ed Lopez being "CEO" and calling a "company board meeting." I'd be surprised if there were even a dozen people involved in this "business." Its a scam, nothing more. - deesnutz, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2"United we stand, divided we fall." Time to boycott the RIAA. Bust out the tape decks and record your music. Don't buy anymore CD's until they get the point. It's time for these bastards to stop their crap. Suing innocent people and declaring them thieves even if the RIAA doesn't have a single thread of proof.
The internet can create flash mobs. Well it's time to create "FLASH BOYCOTTS"! Sony is next, and then Bellsouth. It's time for these company execs to start kissing user's butts. - steveoa3d, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2I'm sure Mr. Phillips didn't act alone, the owner knows that they sell at a discount and cancel your order if you don't buy overprice add-ons. I also read somewhere they give a discount if you give them GOOD feedback at ratings sites and if you never mention they paid you to do it !
The owners only sorry he got pwn3d, no one will get fired... Nothing will change.
I think I will call them and ask if the camera was in stock and if they would require me to buy add-ons to get the low price and see how they respond. My Caller ID tag at is "State of Wisconsin Department of Commerce" since thats who I work for so I think they might be a little worried. - jasongetsdown, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1According to BBB the owner of pricerite is Jack Heffner
- JoeDonH, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1I agree that blog posts on digg can get a bit annoying, but I have to say that in this particular instance it has been quite entertaining to see this story unfold. There are too many stories like this out there, and it's nice to see that in this day and age results, however legitimate, can be reached almost instantaneously through social networks like this. +digg.
- loker269, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1yeah if anyone took the time to read two lines under the Queens, NY thing or maybe the 2 words before it that said BORN IN: queens, ny.....he lives in colorado so do not start assaulting this guys site and bombarding him he has nothing to do with this and there is no reason to assault random people just for having the name Ed Lopez
- cwoolf34, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1can anyone say "PPPowerbook"?!
That is a cooler story but this one is alright. Someone should go to the store or building this place is in and ask to speak to Mr. Lopez, then tell Mr. Lopez that you asked to speak with Mr. Phillips, I am sure his face would turn red and he would snap. Anyone in the NYC area want to do a little detective work? We need to do something like what happened in the "PPPowerbook" story. - digid, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1I would like to say that I have a horror story from this company. In fact in lasted several days and they kept calling my home threatening me because I canceled my order because they did almost word for word what happened to this guy. When I called to cancel my order they kept hanging up on me. Finally I said that I was calling my credit card company to file a complaint and have the purchase canceled. The craziest thing about the whole thing was that they called me and pretended to be American Express!! The so called "American Express" representative claimed to have been eavesdropping on a conversation on a three way call with the company. The "American Express" representative said that they would not cancel my order as its legit transaction and the problem isn't with the company its with my attitude. Well, as soon as I asked for this representatives name and extension we suddenly got disconnected. GO figure. I really called American Express and had the charge reversed. The damage done to the company PriceRitePhoto is now monumental. The only way they will recover is to change the name of their company. So beware. The type of slime ball tactics that PriceRitePhoto engages in are common from other vendors of the area. Beware. I wouldn't be surprised if Steve Phillips is just an alias. In dealing with the company I felt I was talking with people who were the same person but they changed their name. They also falsely post good reviews on websites posing as satisfied customers. These reviews are easy to spot as they all have a common pattern which sticks out as an anomaly to all the other comments posted. Ed Lopez has been telling his employees to behave like this. It's their business model. Basically their business model is... 1) Advertise rock bottom prices for quality camera equipment(even if they don't have it in stock) to lure in the most amount of people 2) Offer all the extras and warranty. 3) If customer declines then tell them the item will be shipped but then never ship it 4) when customer complains threaten with the 15% restocking fee 5) finally tell them that the item is out of stock(since they never really had the equipment anyway...If someone buys the camera with the warranty then they will send "Larry" down the street to pick one up from B&H camera)
- fudgebrown, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1it was great seeing this whole story unfold - - - pretty awesome
- Psykus, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Digg Army, attack!
- inactive, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1suck ***** is all i have to say. i hope they all end up starving on the street giving head jobs for pennies.
- locojones, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2I just find the vigilante tactics used by the people claiming victory here to be as reprehensible as the camera store operator himself. If this were a brick and mortar store, nobody here would be protesting outside the doors, barring physical entry to the store, jackhammering the entrance to the parking lot so customers would be turned away, or throwing firebombs through the windows. What makes you think that you have that right to trespass and cause destruction merely because this is an internet site? Indeed, all that it accomplishes is to reinforce the negative connotations of the term "hacker." You may think that you've vindicated rights as a consumer advocate, but your message has been lost in the uncivilized manner in which you decided to carry it out, regardless of the result.
- glitchbit, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1What needs to be done is a background check on Steve Philips and Mr. Lopez to make sure number one that both of them exist, otherwise he is taking on a new identity or neither one is this guys real identity and he just has a new alias.
Either way I think this guy should have provided additional proof and even that camera at a greater discount that advertise price or EVEN absolutely FREE. I mean I think that would send a strong signal if he sent it to the guy FREE that they are truely apologetic and want to make amends with their bad business practices(along with proof of Steve Philips being fired) Such as a video camera recording Steve Philips walking into his office and being told he is fired. Then also show some type of felony on his permanent record or prosecute him for something. I mean what business doesn't file suit against an employee that has SEVERELY hurt their business? With that said I now even believe more so that Mr. Lopez is a fake, firing at this point is not enough. - nihilator, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1"From what I've heard Elliot will tear him a new one."
posted by genconkeeper
I don't think Spitzer really cares since he's after the big fish dealing in $Billions$.
Also, I think Ed Lopez = Steve Philips. - Byronious, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1I too have been victim of such companies. I ordered an Olympus digital camera a year or so ago, and the company tried to do the same thing. Throughout the whole "order confirmation" call, between checking and taking information, they tried to sell me a different accessory to the camera I had ordered.
In the end, I did get the camera for the price listed, though I had to deal with the same sort of "harassment." Reading this made me think of my situation, and it's good to see that some sort of something was done against these tactics. - zone, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1I'm a bit skeptical about that letter. Apart from "my post on my experience with his business has most certainly impacted his business" I don't believe a word of it.
- Moose_Head, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Oh yes they are having a "board meeting" hahahaha
- distrbnce, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1No one thinks this company, the one whose employees were laughing at us on speakerphone, may have just made this letter to shut us up?
Camera shops in brooklyn are notorious for this behavior.
This was not an isolated incident and this company has not changed. - 12340987, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1doesn't convince me at all. simple crooks.
- cwoolf34, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1"If for some reason, you want us to remove your credit card and contact information from our database, we will -- after all of your transactions have been completed. All you have to do is send us an email at customerservice@pricesrite.com. Such information, however, is NEVER completely removed from our database archives because we routinely back up our servers for disaster recovery and tax-record purposes."
Sounds like the person who wrote Priceisrite.com's legal notice is on crack! Did a 12 year old write this? Read all the BUT IF's in it! Half the stuff contradicts itself. I hope a major news company does a special on this brooklyn camera scam crap. maybe wishful thinking? But if enough people spread the word? - TokenUser, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0@4answer2: Sales Tax Revenue? Only for instate purchases. most of their customers would be from the internet - and could be anywhere in the world. And its not like they are paying huge property taxes either - since they appear to be run out of a MailBox'r'Us type of place.
- glitchbit, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0google may have his actual home phone number(s) 2 different addresses though
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=%22Eduardo+Lopez%22+brooklyn - TheGreger, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0I don't believe that apology for a second. It's probably just another lie. The guy that said he's the owner is probably just a friend of that Phillips. It's just too shady.
- jmccorm, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0I AM A LAWYER AND I WILL SUE YOU....
This makes sense once you see THIS page:
http://www.donwiss.com/pictures/BrooklynStores/h0116.htm - digid, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Actually the owner is:
Principal: Jack Heffner, Owner
Phone Number: (888) 766-4442
Additional Phone Numbers:
(718) 645-7809 (718) 336-5492 (718) 787-0817
(888) 447-0011 (888) 740-4880 (888) 365-4300
(888) 375-6700
Fax Number: (718) 645-7809
Website: www.lgdsuperstore.com
Additional Business Names
This firm also does business under the following names. This is not necessarily a complete list.
A. Heffco Technologies, Inc.
C&A Marketing
Dealz Net
Hype Audio
Ideal Audio/Video
Ideal Photo and Video
Let's Go Digital
LGD Superstore
Price Rite Photo
Prices Rite Photo
New York has been hit with a very large Pyramid Scheme. PriceRitePhoto is just one small part of the elaborate network. - roguepirate, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Ed Lopez = Steve Phillips
- 4answer2, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0I doubt the NY attorney general will get involved. Businesses like this have existed in and around NYC for years and the city and state are happy to receive the sales tax revenue.
- jmccorm, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Registrant:
A. HEFFCO TECHNOLOGIES
1643 MCDONALD AVE
BROOKLYN, NY 11223-2338
US
Domain Name: PRICESRITE.COM
Administrative Contact , Technical Contact :
A. HEFFCO TECHNOLOGIES
heffez@yahoo.com
1643 MCDONALD AVE
BROOKLYN, NY 11223-2338
US
Phone: 718 787 0817
Fax: 718 645 1809
Record expires on 30-Jan-2009
Record created on 30-Jan-2000
Database last updated on 29-Jun-2004
Domain servers in listed order:
ST-NS1.YAHOO.COM 216.136.225.202
NS5.STORE.YAHOO.COM 216.136.225.199
- cy_kid, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Digg!!!! No longer will the little customer to be brushed aside when a marketing scheme goes bust. Alright Thomas!.
- roguepirate, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0they fired a pseudonym. i say we keep raiding his site.
- jmccorm, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0So I went to a search engine to see who was selling a very expensive TV for a ridiculously low price. Guess who I found?
http://www.pricesrite.com/
I'm pretty darn sure these are the same guys. - HerbSolo, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Oh my, this is sweet,
we really did it, didn't we? - roguepirate, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0 @ Herbsolo
we didn't do anything, they fired a pseudonym, they probably fire John Hancock too. - mcaaronice, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0I just submitted this news story:
http://digg.com/links/News_Story_regarding_the_PriceRitePhoto_and_Digg
They interviewed a manager there who is trying to get some sympathy. They're a "small local business" that is being "attacked" at the busiest time of the year and this has cost them "millions of dollars." I can't say I believe they've lost that. I'm guessing they don't make a million dollars in a year. - distrbnce, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Exactly, LawDigger. It's really bothering me that some people ^ are claiming victory.
These people are sitting in their office laughing at every digger that thinks they've accomplished something. - phpkerouac, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diggmobb
- prasadsw, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0OMG ! these guys are also known as Let's Go Digital - they sometime show up as the best price - I will keep an eye out 'not' to buy from there too...
- Sonic84, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Victory!
- joejoe, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Let me say I didn't read every comment here but there seems to be a real Ed Lopez for PriceRitePhoto. The domain is registered to an Eduardo Lopez.
PriceRitePhoto
1274 49th Street
Brooklyn, NY 11218
US
Domain Name: PRICERITEPHOTO.COM
Administrative Contact, Technical Contact, Zone Contact:
PriceRitePhoto
Eduardo Lopez
1274 49th Street
Brooklyn, NY 11218
US
(888)365-4300
webmaster@priceritephoto.com
Domain created on 22-Jun-2003
Domain expires on 20-Jun-2015
Last updated on 01-Dec-2005
Domain servers in listed order:
NS0.DNSMADEEASY.COM
NS1.DNSMADEEASY.COM
NS2.DNSMADEEASY.COM
NS3.DNSMADEEASY.COM
NS4.DNSMADEEASY.COM -
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